i am the blood of the mountain

Time moved too quickly. How could it be possible that my three new daughters were already nearing three weeks of age? They had already tried to escape the den multiple times, but motherly instinct bid me force them to remain within for another few days. Soon, I told them, over and over again. Soon they would feel the softness of grass between their toes and breathe in the freshest air in all of Moladion. But for now they slept peacefully, curled up within each other's legs and nestled at my abdomen. I treasured each day of their tiny youthfulness, knowing that soon it would be lost to me. Before I knew it they would romp throughout the pack lands. It still baffled me that my young dragons were two years old this spring. Two years old! How could such a thing be possible? Half grown, my four eldest children were quickly coming into their own, and I could not be more proud of each of them. Often times they would linger around the den if Jericho was off hunting, protective of their little sisters. Thankfully the cavelike den was quite large, for my three sons and eldest daughter often still slept with us. While Nymeria, Sansa, and Visenya were still small it was comfortable. But I knew that the larger they grew the more cramped it would become in the den. I dreaded the day that I might have to deny them the comforts of sleeping in their birth den. Some secret part of my heart hoped that they would make the choice to find new dens - or perhaps one den they could share - before I had to make it for them. It made a mother's heart ache.

Gazing upon the three perfect forms of my children, my ears suddenly twitched backwards towards the den's entrance. The sound of foreign footsteps approaching the clearing held my attention as I tried to discern which of my pack members it might be, but I did not immediately recognize the pattern of steps. My hackles bristled defensively and my body instinctively curled around my children, careful not to wake them as I glared up and out of the den. Of course I could not see who it was, but then there was a noise from without. Something was dropped on the ground and then a sound was made to alert me to the wolf's presence. Almost immediately I could feel the imagined threat dissipate from my mind, and taking a final look at the heap of grays and blacks to ensure my daughters slept on peacefully, I carefully extricated myself from the den. The softest of whimpers at the loss of my bodily warmth almost kept me back, but I forced myself to exit the den.

Shaking out my fur I stretched my legs as I moved out into the open, eyes seeking the wolf who had stopped a respectable distance from the den, just within the clearing in which it was housed. Immediately realized that this wolf was no stranger, and I recalled his name as Tithe. This was the wolf with whom Sleekwing had hunted, and together they had delivered the carcass of a doe to the pack's celebration of my victory at the beginning of winter. A smile touched my features as I trotted over towards him, my tail swinging out behind me with only the barest of dominant arches given, more in contentedness to see him again than to assert my position. I had been pleased at Malina's choice of wolf to bring into Spirane as part of her tasks in working towards Palfrey. He was, without a doubt, a sound choice. Quietly I had hoped that the influence of both Sleekwing and Malina might be enough to help the young male settle his mind on remaining within the mountains permanently.

As I came to stand before him he addressed me courteously, and without delay professed his desire to become a member of the pack. My banner waved happily as mahogany eyes met those of slate blue, allowing him to continue, not wishing to interrupt, for it seemed he had more to say. Before I addressed anything he said with words, I moved forward and rubbed my shoulder along his, moving halfway down his body in a show of camaraderie and acceptance. "Welcome home, Tithe." I then stepped back to stand face to face with him once more. I was pleased with his choice, and it showed plainly on my face. "I trust the word of Sleekwing and Malina, and you have already proven yourself to me when you helped to deliver a meal to our pack." Our pack, mine and his alike, for I now accepted him into the ranks of the mountain wolves. "Though you have proven your prowess in the hunt, which would normally ensure you a spot within the Armament, you also have a way with words. I do not wish you pigeon hole you into one rank because it was the first skill you showed, Tithe. Tell me, what is it you wish to do for the betterment of your pack?"

daenerys